Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney Face Combined Penalties Over Minor Entry Failures

The NSW Independent Casino Commission imposed fines totaling $2.25 million on Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney after both venues permitted repeated access to a 16-year-old using fraudulent identification throughout 2025, and the penalties break down as $1.75 million for Crown alongside $500,000 for The Star following a detailed probe by Liquor and Gaming NSW. The minor gained entry to Crown Sydney on 19 separate occasions while achieving silver membership status and receiving complimentary alcohol on multiple visits, whereas the same individual entered The Star Sydney three times before authorities identified the pattern through verification lapses.

Details of the Breaches and Investigation Process

Investigators from Liquor and Gaming NSW traced the unauthorized entries back to inadequate identity checks at both properties, and the commission determined that staff failed to detect the forged driver’s licence despite the minor’s repeated appearances over several months. Crown Sydney allowed the individual to accumulate loyalty points and access alcohol service without proper age confirmation, while The Star Sydney recorded three successful entries under similar circumstances before the matter surfaced in regulatory reviews. The commission’s findings highlighted systemic gaps in onboarding procedures that permitted the minor to bypass standard entry protocols at each location.

Both operators acknowledged the shortcomings in their identity verification systems once the investigation concluded, and they outlined plans to strengthen screening measures including enhanced document authentication technology along with revised staff training protocols. The minor received a five-year ban from both venues effective upon reaching 18 years of age, a measure the commission confirmed as part of the final resolution.

Regulatory Response and Operator Commitments

The NSW Independent Casino Commission issued the penalties after reviewing evidence gathered during the Liquor and Gaming NSW inquiry, and the action underscores the requirement for casinos to maintain strict controls over venue access. Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney each committed to immediate remediation steps such as improved real-time identity verification at entry points and expanded onboarding procedures for new members. Staff training programs received updates to emphasize detection of fraudulent documents, while both properties agreed to implement ongoing audits to prevent similar incidents in the future.

According to the commission’s public statement, the fines reflect the seriousness of allowing underage individuals into restricted gaming areas even when identification appears legitimate at first glance. The operators submitted remediation reports detailing the upgrades, and regulators continue to monitor compliance through scheduled inspections. The ban imposed on the minor serves as an additional safeguard while the properties adjust their operational practices.

Context Within NSW Casino Oversight Framework

NSW casino regulations require operators to verify patron age and identity at multiple touchpoints, and the commission enforces these rules through investigations triggered by external reports or internal audits. In this instance the breaches came to light after Liquor and Gaming NSW conducted targeted checks, revealing the pattern of entries that had gone undetected by venue staff. The commission noted that both Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney maintain membership programs that grant benefits including complimentary services, yet those systems did not incorporate sufficient safeguards against falsified identification during the relevant period.

Remediation efforts now underway include deployment of advanced scanning equipment at entry and membership desks, and both venues have revised their training modules to cover common forgery techniques. The commission requires periodic progress reports from each operator to confirm that new protocols function effectively across all shifts and locations.

Conclusion

The penalties stand as a clear directive from the NSW Independent Casino Commission that identity verification remains a core obligation for licensed venues, and the combined $2.25 million fine along with the five-year ban on the minor illustrates the regulatory consequences when those obligations are not met. Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney have accepted the findings and moved forward with documented improvements to their entry and membership processes. Regulators continue to track the implementation of those changes through the established oversight mechanisms. Casinos fined for allowing minor to enter their venues (press release)